Letters of Administration

Letters of Administration

When someone dies, one of the first things that you need to find out is whether they left a will. If they left a will, then the person they chose as their executor can make an application for probate to allow them to carry out the deceased's final wishes. If the person died without leaving a will, then an application for letters of administration is made. It's a complicated process, and we strongly advise that you get advice from a Citizens Advice Bureau lawyer so that you know what needs to be done, and when.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes the application?Someone entitled to benefit from the deceased person's estate applies for letters of administration. This is usually the deceased's spouse or child; or if they didn't have a spouse or child, their parent or sibling. If none of these people exist, another extended family member can apply. Who can make the application is determined by the Administration Act.

What are letters of consent?Sometimes there is more than one person who is entitled to apply for letters of administration or letters of administration with will annexed. In this case, all of those people who are entitled to make the application, but aren't applying, must each provide letters of consent.

What are sureties or guarantees or a Section 17A Deed?If there is a beneficiary who is a minor (under 18), then the applicant must get two people to guarantee that they (the sureties or guarantors) will make good any financial loss that minor beneficiary might suffer from the applicant's actions. This is to make sure the minor beneficiary's interest is protected.

What documents do I have to file with my application for letters of administration?The documents to file with your letters of administration application are:

a motion for letters of administration

an affidavit (a written and sworn statement that can be used as evidence in court) from you, the applicant, with a statement of the deceased's assets and liabilities (what they owned and owed)

letters of consent (if any) from all other people entitled to benefit from the estate who aren't applying

any sureties, guarantees, or Section 17A Deeds (if required)

the deceased's death certificate – the original and a copy and

the filing fee.

Are letters of administration different from letters of administration with will annexed?Yes, they are different. Letters of administration with will annexed are only made if there is no executor to make an application; that is if the will maker didn't appoint an executor or the only executor named in the will is deceased, unable, or unwilling to act.

What documents do I have to file with my application for letters of administration with will annexed?The documents to file with your letters of administration with will annexed application are:

a motion for letters of administration with will annexed

an affidavit from you, the applicant, with a statement of the deceased's assets and liabilities

letters of consent (if any) from all other people entitled to benefit from the estate who aren't applying

any sureties, guarantees, or Section 17A Deeds (if required)

the original marked will

an Affidavit of Due Execution from a witness (if required)

the deceased's death certificate – the original and a copy and

the filing fee.

What is "marking" a will?You and your witness have to sign the original will, referred to as "marking" the will. Your signatures shouldn't obscure the will's content – it’s advisable you sign on the cover or back of the will.